Your program music ideas for specific skaters or in general (competitive programs)

I'm thinking Ashley W. shouldn't be the only skater to benefit from fans' music ideas for the next competitive season so please continue in this new thread! Feel free to propose music for specific skaters or just share what you believe to be relatively unique/creative/original choices.

I'm still waiting for someone, like a pair team, to make good use of Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances. 3 movements, 3 distinctly different moods, extremely romantic. The off-center waltz 2nd movement sounds more like Prokoffiev, which makes it cool and hard to place.

Thanks, Sylvia, for starting this thread! I was just this moment thinking of starting a thread like this to pass the time waiting for Worlds. I love reading music suggestions from everyone. I only have two at the moment but I've been listening to tons of music on youtube getting ideas lately.

For now...
Lawrence/Sweigers...for their SP, I'd love to see them try Sherlock Holmes "Discombobulate"...they did a great job with "City Slickers" and I think they could do a great job with this piece of music. For their LP, I was thinking of "Last of the Mohicans", their "Van Helsing" was amazing, I think character pieces would work well for them right now as they are moving up the rankings. I was thrilled with their improvement this year, I love how they move across the ice (that bit of reckless abandon reminds me of another team I uber ) and I hope to see them continue to improve.

I would love to see Davis/White try "Miss Saigon" for their FD.

I'm such a sucker for soundtracks and musicals. Although I enjoy some good classical stuff, too.

"Sentimental Journey", as done by Juan Esquivel. The most awesome, quirky, lounge music, different piece of music ever! I've only seen one junior dance team use it and that was ages ago. It would be PERFECT for Ryan Bradley or someone else who can pull off a really fun piece. It's got highs and lows built in, and a great crescendo. Love love love it.

Why did this thread get deleted?
Ideas:
I wish Sasha Cohen would do Scheherazade (Although she isn't competing anymore, so maybe as an exhibition?)
Miki Ando: Maybe something more exciting
Joubert: Anything that isn't his current Free Skate...
Asada: I think she could do her Por Una Cabeza program as a real short program. I really enjoyed it. Another spanish music piece would be nice as well since she does them well.

And I know it's overused, but I could see either Nagasu or Czisny doing "Giselle" justice.

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Czisny, yes, but I think Nagasu is totally wrong for Giselle, who is supposed to be fragile, timid, and innocent, which definitely isn't Mirai. Carmen played up much more to her feisty personality, charisma, and sense of "look at me" she gives off when she skates. I think Mirai could do a more powerful ballet piece/character justice, like the black swan from Swan Lake, Carabosse from Sleeping Beauty, Kitri or a gypsy from Don Quixote, or even something from the Firebird, though that's also overused. Just my 2 cents but Mirai doesn't seem right for Giselle, I'm not sure if Yuna is even going to be a good fit with Giselle - someone like Alissa or Mao would be much more suited to it.

Ever since seeing him skate to something a bit 'more' for an exhibition a few years ago (I think it R&J but I can't remember), I've wanted Brian Joubert to skate to Santo and Johnny's 'Sleep Walk'. I could have also seen singles-era Fedor skating to it really well, or maybe Patrick Chan with his intense edge-work, though it would be weird seeing him skate to something slower. But Joubert is my first choice for it.

Thank you Sylvia for starting this thread as I was just about to do the same!

One way to view skating is as a product into which music and choreography are fundamentally woven. As such, I see many ways to refine and improve the product so as to increase its economic viability.

Appreciating the Market Opportunity. Given the popularity of shows like "Dancing with the Stars" and SYTYCD, and of skaters (Evan, Kristi) on these shows, skating, in particular ice dance, has a huge opportunity to market itself to these mass audiences as a form of recreation and entertainment.

Understanding the Problem. Yet here in the world of skating in the US, we have dwindling audiences and stale demographics. Without getting into a debate about event locations and ticket costs, the problem is limited not only to declining in-person audiences but also to declining TV ratings, which clearly points to something wrong with the product itself:

Stale Music and Choreography. Indeed, many complain about 99% of skaters using the same several dozen or so pieces of muzak. If skaters are going to do the same moves because of CoP, then at least they should make them interesting and creative with new music choices and inventive choreography. Otherwise, what's in it for wider audiences to watch the same robotic (in content) and uninspired (in emotion) programs and performances over and over again?

Refining the Product. Skaters, coaches, and choreographers can help make skating more appealing, marketable, and authentic to mass audiences by updating music choices and choreography to reflect contemporary realities and tastes.

Music. First, as for music, we should encourage skaters - especially ice dancers - to skate to music they like and listen to. The best example of this would be the Kerrs who have skated to, among other things, Muse and Linkin Park. This doesn't have to mean that skaters skate to pop or rock. It can be anything they like, even classical or jazz. When skaters skate to music they like, we should expect that skaters will skate more passionately and sell programs more convincingly and authentically. Moreover, when convincing programs are delivered to music with popular appeal, greater numbers of people will begin to see the product - skating - as something that is appealing and relevant to them.

Choreography. As for choreography, coaches, choreographers, and skaters should do new music choices justice with provocative programs, movements, and shapes drawn from all the inspirations that are out there - whether TV dance shows, pop/rock concerts, contemporary dance (i.e. Merce Cunningham, Mark Morris, and Alvin Ailey), the club scene, or even world rhythms. Edgier, provocative, and creative choreography will help create a product that's worth tuning in to or showing up in person to watch. The Kerrs' "Matrix" free dance and the first half of Virtue/Moir's Pink Floyd free dance come to mind.

The net result is a more enjoyable product for both skaters and audiences. Even officials and judges win when CoP lives up to its full potential - difficult moves combined with interesting music and choreography - and when events are more in demand.

I'm going to separate my own music suggestions, which are mostly a projection of my own current playlist onto what I want to see in skating, into a following post just because I don't want the music choices to taint what I strongly feel is a great need for change - and a fantastic untapped opportunity - that I've laid out in this post.

I understand this post is a projection of my own music choices and wishes onto what I want to see in skating, but I'm always at a loss to explain why the same old music is used over and over in skating when there's so much to choose from in contemporary music alone. This may be because of:

an unwillingness to embrace the present,

an unwillingness to be provocative for fear that "it's not what the judges want," and

sheer intellectual laziness on the part of choreographers, coaches, and even skaters themselves, who outsource music choices to choreographers and coaches because they supposedly "know best."

As such, I see many choices from contemporary music that could be used for skating if done proper justice with complex and creative choreography. Here's just a random listing of choices from my own iTunes shuffle mix.

Oasis - Champagne Supernova. An anthem for my generation. Many different moods and tempos within, and it can be still used to tell a story even if cut down to 4 minutes.

Coldplay - In My Place and Fix You. Not necessarily good program choices on their own, but if combined with each other or other Coldplay choices, one could create quite a profound and provocative program.

Train - Hey, Soul Sister. A light-hearted song (and, along with the entire album, a San Francisco favorite ) just to show that angsty stuff isn't necessarily the only way to go. The lyrics and the way the song progresses actually provide a lot of fodder for twists, turns, and variations in the choreography.

Matthew Sweet - Girlfriend. As made popular by Guitar Hero. Again, provides good fodder for lots of variations of the choreography, especially the guitar solos.

Muse - Uprising. I know Shawn Sawyer did an exhibition to it, but an ice dance team could really take it to a much deeper level by mixing interesting shapes and positions with difficult footwork and twizzles.

Kelis - A Capella. A pulsating club selection that a creative ice dance team could work with. I wouldn't mind if the team came out with equally provocative costumes as seen in the video.

Michael Franti and Spearhead - The Sound of Sunshine. A more entertaining choice that will make people smile if done justice.

Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out. Again, a more edgy choice, but still very danceable.

I look forward to seeing skaters, coaches, and choreographers break out of the realm of the predictable and into a whole new world of possibilities.

Oh, I can definitely see Mirai as a mischevous Coppelia, and in a few years Kitri. I think she will own Kitri someday-just not quite yet. Definitely NOT Giselle. I really can't even see Alissa as Giselle. Yes, she's retiring and sweet, but it just doesn't gel for me. Maybe.....Maria in Fountain of Bakhchisarai? I think I'm spelling that wrong....but it's a more mature, sweet yet tragic theme musically, and not as well know. But it has the emotional pull of Dr. Zhivago. Lots of gentleness and yearning. I will post this and then edit with the correct spelling, etc. I think Alissa has outgrown some of these engenue castings.

I'd love to see Mirai skate to Aaron Copland's "Appalachian Spring". It doesn't get used a lot, and I can just picture her skating to it when I hear it.

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I would have loved to see Ben and Tanith skate to Appalachian Spring.

I've thought for awhile now that Meryl and Charlie would be beautiful skating to the 2nd movement of Beethoven's 7th symphony (yes, that movement used so well in the King's Speech). I've also suggested for them the Painted Veil.

For well-rounded singles skaters how about Brahm's 2nd piano concerto or parts of the 3rd symphony (the third movement especially!).

For Jonathan Cassar I would love to see him interpret Miraculous Mandarin. I loved, loved, loved Michelle Kwan's version even though she only skated it once and it was kind of rough. I think it could make a fabulous short program.

I'm not sure who I want want to use this music, but I think the electronic artist Bonobo has some great music for skating. I think Kiara and Wayward Bob would both be fabulous.

I'd love to see Davis and White skate to Radiohead's 'Go Slowly' as an exhibition piece. It's a powerful, sensual piece of music, and would give them a chance to really enjoy their incredible speed and hold their deep edges.

Plushenko had a similar thing going on his official forum - asking for music, costume and theme suggestions. I guess we'll find out soon if he liked any of them!

For me, I'll always wonder how his Nutcracker program (his original choice of SP for 2005-2006 season) would have turned out. I'd like to see him go with more ballet themes. I think he'd make a wonderful Albrecht, for example.

(Must say though, best Nutcracker I ever saw was Ilia Kulik's technical program for the 2003 Ice Wars. )

I also wouldn't mind seeing more Russian folk music. Or just folk music in general. And I think a Lord of the Rings program is long overdue. Those movies had some epic music in them.

(And just because I'm feeling nostalgic {and most of the skaters at my rink seem to be favouring old TV themes this season} I wouldn't mind seeing a JAG program )

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And if we're talking dream exhibitions, I'd like to see Ilia do something a little saucy. He was nearly there with his Tango, and Deal With It, and Mustang Nismo...just a little further... I don't think it'll ever happen, he doesn't appear to be that kind of skater, but just once I would really love to see it

Another great music which has never been used is the "Fantaghirò" ("The Cave of the Golden Rose" in America) soundtrack by Amedeo Minghi.
Here are a few themes from the series:FantaghiròTarabasSenzanome

Lately, I discovered the greatness of the "Dangerous Liaisons" soundtrack: Main Title
I think it could make a good Ice Dance program.

As such, I see many choices from contemporary music that could be used for skating if done proper justice with complex and creative choreography.

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Are you talking about ice dance only? In that case, I agree that I would enjoy seeing programs to most of your choices.

Are you talking about freestyle competition?
In that case, one big reason why you won't see singles and pairs skaters competing to songs with lyrics is that it is illegal for them to compete to songs with lyrics.

(Well, the US allows it at lower levels, but not for novice-senior competitors. The ISU does not allow it.)

So that means that to use those songs the skaters would either need to cut and paste the instrumental sections from the originals, if they're long enough, or else use alternate versions in which the vocal line is replaced by an instrumental melody, which often results in the whole feel of the piece sounding more "muzaked." Either way, the musical effect would not be the same as listening to the original song on your iPod.

Cutting and pasting is necessary for orchestral and other instrumental works as well, to fit the standard program lengths and to fit the phrasing of the music to the skater's element setups, aerobic capacity, etc. Some genres and some specific pieces within genres meet those needs better than others, which is why those genres and specific pieces tend to get overused.

All that said, if there are contemporary musicians who produce instrumental works or vocal works with long enough instrumental sections that can stand on their own as originally composed, that work well with the movement phrasing needed to set up freestyle elements, and that won't lose their musical effect when cut and pasted to meet freestyle needs, I would be very much in favor of hearing more of them in skating competitions.

So, skaters who enjoy listening or dancing to contemporary music, by all means play with the instrumental cuts on the ice and find pieces you can use for competition!

Oh, I can definitely see Mirai as a mischevous Coppelia, and in a few years Kitri.

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Heh. A few years ago I wanted to see her do a Goldilocks-themed program using Dvorak's Humoresque and other pieces, but I think now she's at an age where she would want to present herself as more mature. Any mischievous juniors want to take it on?

Oh, I can definitely see Mirai as a mischevous Coppelia, and in a few years Kitri. I think she will own Kitri someday-just not quite yet. Definitely NOT Giselle. I really can't even see Alissa as Giselle. Yes, she's retiring and sweet, but it just doesn't gel for me. Maybe.....Maria in Fountain of Bakhchisarai? I think I'm spelling that wrong....but it's a more mature, sweet yet tragic theme musically, and not as well know. But it has the emotional pull of Dr. Zhivago. Lots of gentleness and yearning. I will post this and then edit with the correct spelling, etc. I think Alissa has outgrown some of these engenue castings.

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I think Coppelia would suit Mirai too, but I didn't mention it because she already skated to it. She'd make such a fab Swanilda though, especially if she skated to this piece of music http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t-kWSM234c , where Swanilda throws a hissy fit at the end because she thinks Coppelia is a real girl who won't pay attention to her . Mirai could really do it justice, I think.

You may be right about Czisny as well, her maturity is an asset to her skating right now, so it might be smarter for her to portray a more grownup character if she choses to go that route. Maybe the Lilac Fairy from Sleeping Beauty or Queen of the Dryads from Don Q would be more fitting. I'd personally like to see her venture out of her comfort zone a bit though and try something more modern.

People are going to hate me for saying this but I'd like to see Agnes skate to "Cats". She just has something feline about her, idk, I think it would be very intriguing.

I, Robot Soundtrack. I would love for some guy with dramatic flare, powerful skating and artistic interpretation to skate to this as a robot, struggling with his emerging humanity. Who could do this? Dai? In my fantasy world it would be Yagudin in his 2002 condition. He would kill it.